Thorium distribution on the Moon:new insights from Chang’E-2 gamma-ray spectrometer

We present the thorium distribution on the lunar surface derived from observations by the Chang’E-2 gamma-ray spectrometer(CE-2 GRS). This new map shows a similar thorium distribution to previous observations. In combination with this new thorium map and impact cratering model, we investigate the origination of thorium on the Moon’s highlands, which was previously thought to be contributed from Imbrium ejecta. We found that the Imbrium ejecta has a small contribution(~20%–30%) to the thorium on the lunar highlands but most thorium is likely to be indigenous before the deposition of the Imbrium ejecta. This new thorium map also confirms that the eastern highlands have a relatively higher thorium concentration than the western highlands. We propose that the thin crust and large basins on the eastern highlands are responsible for this difference in thorium.

Time series data correction for the Chang'E-1 gamma-ray spectrometer

The main goal of the gamma-ray spectrometer（GRS） onboard Chang＇E1（CE-1） is to acquire global maps of elemental abundances and their distributions on the moon,since such maps will significantly improve our understanding of lunar formation and evolution.To derive the elemental maps and enable research on lunar formation and evolution,raw data that are received directly from the spacecraft must be converted into time series corrected gamma-ray spectra.The data correction procedures for the CE-1 GRS time series data are thoroughly described.The processing procedures to create the time series gamma-ray spectra described here include channel processing,optimal data selection,energy calibration,gain correction,dead time correction,geometric correction,orbit altitude normalization,eliminating unusable data and galactic cosmic ray correction.Finally,descriptions are also given on data measurement uncertainties,which will help the interested scientists to understand and estimate various uncertainties associated with the above data processing.

Calibration of the High Purity Germanium Gamma-Ray Spectrometer in CERT, ABU Zaria, Nigeria

Gamma-ray spectrometry is a very powerful tool for radioactivity measurements. The gamma-ray spectrometer laboratory in Centre for Energy Research and Training (CERT), Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria, Nigeria is accredited to perform measurements of radioactive content of samples collected from the environment, food chain or industrial products with the aid of a high resolution HPGe detector. For accurate gamma-ray spectrometry, certain measurements were considered;the efficiency of the detector was performed experimentally against energies within the range of 59.50 keV (241Am) to 2204.50 keV (226Ra) for the respective geometries of 1 - 6 cm. The sustained solid angle relations with respect to the inverse square of sample geometries from 1 - 6 cm were evaluated. Another main point of this work was focused on the efficiency at geometry of 5 cm with respect to the three selected energies: 661.60 keV (137Cs), 1173.2 keV (60Co) and 1332 keV (60Co) for the main axis, ten degree off main axis, forty five degree off main axis and ninety degree off the detector main axis. In order to verify optimum geometries in our laboratory for both short lived and long lived radionuclides analyses, the evaluation of efficiencies for the respective energies: 1173.2 keV (60Co), 1332.5 keV (60Co), 1764 keV (226Ra) and 2294 keV (226Ra) were plotted against geometries of 1 to 6 cm from the detector end cap along the main axis.

Background deduction of the Chang'E-1 gamma-ray spectrometer data

Gamma-ray spectrometer(GRS) is used to detect the elemental abundances and distributions on the lunar surface.To derive the elemental abundances,it is vital to acquire background gamma rays except lunar gamma rays.So GRS would observe background spectra in the course of earth-moon transfer on schedule.But in fact,GRS was not switched on in the course of flying toward the moon.After the CE-1 probe finished one-year mission,GRS car-ried out a test on background data on November 21?22,2008.The authors did conduct research on the methods of background deduction using 2105 hours of usable gamma-ray spectra acquired at the 200-km orbital height by the GRS and more than 5 hours of gamma-ray spectra acquired in the GRS background test.The final research results showed that the method of deducting the background using the minimum counts in the CE-1 GRS pixels is optimal for the elements,U,K and Th.The method applies to such a case that the elemental abundances in the pixel with the minimum counting rate are 0 μg/g and the continuum background counts are constant over the Moon.Based on the method of background deduction,the full energy peak counts of U,K,and Th are calculated.

Design and implementation of the monochromator shielding for the cold neutron spectrometers XINGZHI and BOYA

An innovative monochromator shielding is designed and implemented for the cold neutron spectrometers XINGZHI and BOYA operated by Renmin University of China at China Advanced Research Reactor.Via Monte Carlo simulations and careful mechanical designs,a shielding configuration has been successfully developed to satisfy safety requirements of below 3μSv/h dose rate at its exterior,meanwhile fulfilling space,floor load and nonmagnetic requirements.Composite materials are utilized to form the sandwich-type shielding walls:the inner layer of boron carbide rubber,the middle layer of steel-encased lead and the outer layer of borated polyethylene.Special-shaped liftable shielding blocks are incorporated to facilitate a continuous adjustment of the neutron energy while preventing radiation leakage.Our work has demonstrated that by utilizing composite shielding materials,along with the sandwich structure and liftable shielding blocks,a compact and lightweight shielding solution can be achieved.This enables the realization of advanced neutron scattering instruments that provide expanded space of measurement,larger energy and momentum coverage,and higher flux on the sample.This shielding represents the first of its kind in neutron scattering instruments in China.Following its successful operation,it has been subsequently employed by other neutron instruments across the country.

Artificial neural network-based method for discriminating Compton scattering events in high-purity germaniumγ-ray spectrometer

To detect radioactive substances with low activity levels,an anticoincidence detector and a high-purity germanium(HPGe)detector are typically used simultaneously to suppress Compton scattering background,thereby resulting in an extremely low detection limit and improving the measurement accuracy.However,the complex and expensive hardware required does not facilitate the application or promotion of this method.Thus,a method is proposed in this study to discriminate the digital waveform of pulse signals output using an HPGe detector,whereby Compton scattering background is suppressed and a low minimum detectable activity(MDA)is achieved without using an expensive and complex anticoincidence detector and device.The electric-field-strength and energy-deposition distributions of the detector are simulated to determine the relationship between pulse shape and energy-deposition location,as well as the characteristics of energy-deposition distributions for fulland partial-energy deposition events.This relationship is used to develop a pulse-shape-discrimination algorithm based on an artificial neural network for pulse-feature identification.To accurately determine the relationship between the deposited energy of gamma(γ)rays in the detector and the deposition location,we extract four shape parameters from the pulse signals output by the detector.Machine learning is used to input the four shape parameters into the detector.Subsequently,the pulse signals are identified and classified to discriminate between partial-and full-energy deposition events.Some partial-energy deposition events are removed to suppress Compton scattering.The proposed method effectively decreases the MDA of an HPGeγ-energy dispersive spectrometer.Test results show that the Compton suppression factors for energy spectra obtained from measurements on ^(152)Eu,^(137)Cs,and ^(60)Co radioactive sources are 1.13(344 keV),1.11(662 keV),and 1.08(1332 keV),respectively,and that the corresponding MDAs are 1.4%,5.3%,and 21.6%lower,respectively.

Simulation of Gamma-Ray and Neutron Spectrometers for Microsatellite Missions

Microsatellites have recently opened windows of frequent and low cost missions for planetary exploration. The performance of gamma-ray and neutron spectrometers on future microsatellite missions is simulated to assess the possibility of observation of hydrogen and major elements, given their concentration on the observation target. The measured elemental abundance will provide important geological constraints, and some of them may serve as space resources. Four different types of target bodies with various hydrogen concentrations in the range of 0 - 20,000 ppm are assumed as target compositions;Earth’s core, C-type, S-type and Martian meteorites. Gamma-ray and neutron emission rates show unique footprints that are related to the different elemental compositions. The starting point is the solid angle subtended between observation target and spectrometers that allow estimating the gamma-ray and neutron count rates emitted by the celestial bodies. In this work, three types of gamma-ray detectors;high-purity germanium (HPGe), CeBr3 and LaBr3(Ce), a neutron spectrometer combining a lithium glass scintillator with a boron loaded plastic scintillator and a dual mode spectrometer Cs2LiYCl6(Ce) (CLYC) are simulated, focusing on their observation backgrounds as a model case for microsatellite based measurements. The background count level of both gamma-ray (except for the LaBr3 detector) and neutron count rates was negligible under these particular conditions. The gamma-ray detectors were compared by the figure of merit, which was determined by their efficiency and energy resolution. It was found that each detector has unique advantages. The HPGe detector has the highest figure of merit due to its excellent energy resolution, whereas the CLYC detector is low in weight and power consumption due to its dual sensitivity to gamma-ray and neutron. The CeBr3 detector is an intermediate choice. The neutron count rates are calculated separately in three energy ranges, i.e. , thermal (<0.5 eV), epithermal (0.5 eV - 500 keV), and fast (>500 keV), as a function of the hydrogen concentration in the 0 - 20,000 ppm range. The thermal and epithermal neutron count rates are found to decrease with hydrogen concentration, while the fast neutron count rate increases with the target average atomic mass. The optimal detector should be decided by the mission restraints on mass, power consumption, and heat thermal design.

Design and calibration of an elliptical crystal spectrometer for the diagnosis of proton-induced x-ray emission(PIXE)

Laser-driven proton-induced x-ray emission(laser-PIXE) is a nuclear analysis method based on the compact laser ion accelerator. Due to the transient process of ion acceleration, the laser-PIXE signals are usually spurted within nanoseconds and accompanied by strong electromagnetic pulses(EMP), so traditional multi-channel detectors are no longer applicable.In this work, we designed a reflective elliptical crystal spectrometer for the diagnosis of laser-PIXE. The device can detect the energy range of 1 keV–11 ke V with a high resolution. A calibration experiment was completed on the electrostatic accelerator of Peking University using samples of Al, Ti, Cu, and ceramic artifacts. The detection efficiency of the elliptical crystal spectrometer was obtained in the order of 10-9.

Evaluation of Uncertainty in Determination of Ethyl Maltol in Vegetable Oil by Ultra-high Performance Liquid Chromatograph-Mass Spectrometer(UPLC-MS)

[Objectives]This study was conducted to establish an uncertainty evaluation method for the determination of ethyl maltol by ultra-high performance liquid chromatograph-mass spectrometer(UPLC-MS).[Methods]A mathematical model of uncertainty was established by analyzing the method for determining ethyl maltol using UPLC-MS.The sources of uncertainty were analyzed,and the components of uncertainty were calculated to evaluate the expanded uncertainty of the method.[Results]When the content of ethyl maltol in edible vegetable oil was 1657μg/kg,the expanded uncertainty was 22.4μg/kg(K=2,P=95%).[Conclusions]The uncertainty in this evaluation model mainly came from standard solution preparation,sample weighing,dilution of sample to constant volume,standard curve fitting,and repeated measurement.

Accuracy analysis of iron content of galvanized coating using an X-ray fluorescence spectrometer with an L-spectrum

The accuracy(repeatability and reproducibility) of the iron content analysis of galvanized coating using an X-ray fluorescence spectrometer with an L-spectrum is not better than that of flame atomic absorption spectrometry, sometimes it exceeds the quality control limit.Influences, such as current, voltage, equipment(internal circulating water, 10%CH4+90%Ar, and vacuum) checking, instrument monitoring, sample cleaning, and oper-ators, were investigated by means of 6-sigma and lean operations to improve accuracy.

GRB 200612A:An Ultralong Gamma-Ray Burst Powered by Magnetar Spinning Down

GRB 200612A could be classified as an ultralong gamma-ray burst due to its prompt emission lasting up to~1020 s and the true timescale of the central engine activity t_(burst)≥4×10^(4) s.The late X-ray light curve with a decay index ofα=7.53 is steeper than the steepest possible decay from an external shock model.We propose that this X-ray afterglow can be driven by dipolar radiation from the magnetar spindown during its early stage,while the magnetar collapsed into the black hole before its spindown,resulting in a very steep decay of the late X-ray light curve.The optical data show that the light curve is still rising after 1.1 ks,suggesting a late onset.We show that GRB 200612A’s optical afterglow light curve is fitted with the forward shock model by Gaussian structured off-axis jet.This is a special case among GRBs,as it may be an ultralong gamma-ray burst powered by a magnetar in an off-axis observation scenario.

Time-resolved Spectral Properties of Fermi-GBM Bright Long Gamma-Ray Bursts

The prompt emission mechanism of gamma-ray bursts(GRBs)is still unclear,and the time-resolved spectral analysis of GRBs is a powerful tool for studying their underlying physical processes.We performed a detailed time-resolved spectral analysis of 78 bright long GRB samples detected by Fermi/Gamma-ray Burst Monitor.A total of 1490 spectra were obtained and their properties were studied using a typical Band-shape model.First,the parameter distributions of the time-resolved spectrum are given as follows:the low-energy spectral indexα~-0.72,high-energy spectral indexβ~2.42,the peak energy E_(p)~221.69 keV,and the energy flux F~7.49×10^(-6)erg cm^(-2)s^(-1).More than 80%of the bursts exhibit the hardest low-energy spectral indexα_(max),exceeding the synchrotron limit(-2/3).Second,the evolution patterns of a and E_(p)were statistically analyzed.The results show that for multi-pulse GRBs the intensity-tracking pattern is more common than the hard-to-soft pattern in the evolution of both E_(p)andα.The hard-to-soft pattern is generally shown in single-pulse GRBs or in the initial pulse of multi-pulse GRBs.Finally,we found a significant positive correlation between F and E_(p),with half of the samples exhibiting a positive correlation between F andα.We discussed the spectral evolution of different radiation models.The diversity of spectral evolution patterns indicates that there may be more than one radiation mechanism occurring in the GRB radiation process,including photo spheric radiation and synchrotron radiation.However,it may also involve only one radiation mechanism,but more complicated physical details need to be considered.

Factors Influencing the Electron Yield of Needle-Ring Pulsed Corona Discharge Electron Source for Negative Ion Mobility Spectrometer

A simple negative ion mobility spectrometer （IMS） is designed and used to investi- gate the factors that influence the number and efficiency of electrons generated by the needle-ring pulsed corona discharge electron source. Simulation with Ansoft Maxwell 12 is carried out to analyze the electric field distribution within the IMS, and to offer the basis and foundation for analyzing the measurement results. The measurement results of the quantities of electrons show that when the drift electric field strength and the ring inner diameter rise, both the number of ef- fective electrons and the effective electron rate are increased. When the discharge voltage becomes stronger, the number of effective electrons goes up while the effective electron rate goes down. In light of the simulation results, mechanisms underlying the effects of drift electric field strength, ring inner diameter, and discharge voltage on the effective electron number and effective electron rate are discussed. These will make great sense for designing negative ion mode IMS using the needle-ring pulsed corona discharge as the electron source.

A Satellite-borne Miniature Ion Mass Spectrometer for Space Plasma

The miniature design technology is an important trend in space exploration.Mass spectrometer is used extensively in the space environment detection.The miniature ion mass spectrometer utilizes a 127° cylindrical electrostatic analyzer accompanied with a Time of Flight(TOF)unit based on ultrathin carbon foil to measure the energy spectra and composition of space plasma.The Time of Flight technique has been used broadly in space plasma measurement.A new type of miniature method for the ion mass spectrometer is introduced.The total mass of the instrument is1.8 kg and the total power consumption is 2.0 W.The calibration results show that the energy measurement range is 8.71~43550eV,the energy resolution is 1.86%and the ion mass from 1 amu(1 amu= 1.67 × 10^(-27)kg) to 58 amu can be resolved by the miniature mass spectrometer.The miniature ion mass spectrometer also has a potential to be increased in the field of view by an electrostatic deflecting system to extend its application in space plasma detection.The miniature ion mass spectrometer has been selected for pre-study of Chinese Strategic Priority Research Program on Space Science.

Correction and verification of HL-2A Tokamak Bonner sphere spectrometer in monoenergetic neutron fields from 100 keV to 5 MeV

A real-time Bonner sphere spectrometer(BSS)has been developed for spectral neutron measurements with the HL-2A Tokamak.To correct and verify the accuracy of the neutron spectrum from the BSS,the BSS system was calibrated using monoenergetic neutron beams in the energy range of 100 keV–5 MeV.The response function of the BSS was corrected based on the calibration results,and the corrected BSS system was verified by unfolding monoenergetic neutron spectra.Fusion neutron spectra on the HL-2A have been obtained from the calibrated BSS system for the first time.

A real-time neutron-gamma discriminator based on the support vector machine method for the time-of-flight neutron spectrometer

A new neutron-gamma discriminator based on the support vector machine(SVM) method is proposed to improve the performance of the time-of-flight neutron spectrometer. The neutron detector is an EJ-299-33 plastic scintillator with pulse-shape discrimination(PSD) property. The SVM algorithm is implemented in field programmable gate array(FPGA) to carry out the real-time sifting of neutrons in neutron-gamma mixed radiation fields. This study compares the ability of the pulse gradient analysis method and the SVM method. The results show that this SVM discriminator can provide a better discrimination accuracy of 99.1%. The accuracy and performance of the SVM discriminator based on FPGA have been evaluated in the experiments. It can get a figure of merit of 1.30.

Characterization of Organic Aerosols in Beijing Using an Aerodyne High-Resolution Aerosol Mass Spectrometer

Fine particle of organic aerosol （OA）, mostly arising from pollution, are abundant in Beijing. To achieve a better un- derstanding of the difference in OA in summer and autumn, a high-resolution time-of-flight aerosol mass spectrometer （HR- ToF-AMS, Aerodyne Research Inc., USA） was deployed in urban Beijing in August and October 2012. The mean OA mass concentration in autumn was 30 4-30 μg m-3, which was higher than in summer （13 4-6.9 μg m-3）. The elemental anal- ysis found that OA was more aged in summer （oxygen-to-carbon （O/C） ratios were 0.41 and 0.32 for summer and autumn, respectively）. Positive matrix factorization （PMF） analysis identified three and five components in summer and autumn, re- spectively. In summer, an oxygenated OA （OOA）, a cooking-emission-related OA （COA）, and a hydrocarbon-like OA （HOA） were indentified. Meanwhile, the OOA was separated into LV-OOA （low-volatility OOA） and SV-OOA （semi-volatile OOA）; and in autumn, a nitrogen-containing OA （NOA） was also found. The SOA （secondary OA） was always the most important OA component, accounting for 55% of the OA in the two seasons. Back trajectory clustering analysis found that the origin of the air masses was more complex in summer. Southerly air masses in both seasons were associated with the highest OA loading, while northerly air masses were associated with the lowest OA loading. A preliminary study of OA components, especially the POA （primary OA）, in different periods found that the HOA and COA all decreased during the National Day holiday period, and HOA decreased at weekends compared with weekdays.

Multi-wavelength measurements of aerosol optical absorption coefficients using a photoacoustic spectrometer

The atmospheric aerosol absorption capacity is a critical parameter determining its direct and indirect effects on cli- mate. Accurate measurement is highly desired for the study of the radiative budget of the Earth. A multi-wavelength （405 rim, 532 nm, 780 nm） aerosol absorption meter based on photoacoustic spectroscopy （PAS） invovling a single cylin- drical acoustic resonator is developed for measuring the aerosol optical absorption coefficients （OACs）. A sensitivity of 1.3 Mm-l （at 532 nm） is demonstrated. The aerosol absorption meter is successfully tested through measuring the OACs of atmospheric nigrosin and ambient aerosols in the suburbs of Hefei city. The absorption cross section and absorption Angstrom exponent （AAE） for ambient aerosol are determined for characterizing the component of the ambient aerosol.

Methods for obtaining characteristic γ-ray net peak count from interlaced overlap peak in HPGe γ-ray spectrometer system

For a characteristic c-ray with interlaced overlap peak, and the case where its reliable and credible net count cannot be obtained using the current high-purity germanium(HPGe) multichannel γ-ray spectrum software, two new methods are proposed herein to obtain the γ-ray net peak count from the interlaced overlap peak in the HPGe cray spectrometer system, of which one is the symmetric conversion method based on Gaussian distribution and the other is where the energy average value of two close γ-rays is regarded as the γ-ray energy. The experimental results indicate that the two methods mentioned above are reliable and credible. This study is significant for the development of better γ-ray spectrum processing software for measuring complex γ-ray spectra concerning the nuclear reaction cross section, neutron activation analysis, and analysis of transuranium elements, using an HPGe detector.

Early detection of pine wilt disease in Pinus tabuliformis in North China using a field portable spectrometer and UAV-based hyperspectral imagery

Background:Pine wilt disease(PWD)is a major ecological concern in China that has caused severe damage to millions of Chinese pines(Pinus tabulaeformis).To control the spread of PWD,it is necessary to develop an effective approach to detect its presence in the early stage of infection.One potential solution is the use of Unmanned Airborne Vehicle(UAV)based hyperspectral images(HIs).UAV-based HIs have high spatial and spectral resolution and can gather data rapidly,potentially enabling the effective monitoring of large forests.Despite this,few studies examine the feasibility of HI data use in assessing the stage and severity of PWD infection in Chinese pine.Method:To fill this gap,we used a Random Forest(RF)algorithm to estimate the stage of PWD infection of trees sampled using UAV-based HI data and ground-based data(data directly collected from trees in the field).We compared relative accuracy of each of these data collection methods.We built our RF model using vegetation indices(VIs),red edge parameters(REPs),moisture indices(MIs),and their combination.Results:We report several key results.For ground data,the model that combined all parameters(OA:80.17%,Kappa:0.73)performed better than VIs(OA:75.21%,Kappa:0.66),REPs(OA:79.34%,Kappa:0.67),and MIs(OA:74.38%,Kappa:0.65)in predicting the PWD stage of individual pine tree infection.REPs had the highest accuracy(OA:80.33%,Kappa:0.58)in distinguishing trees at the early stage of PWD from healthy trees.UAV-based HI data yielded similar results:the model combined VIs,REPs and MIs(OA:74.38%,Kappa:0.66)exhibited the highest accuracy in estimating the PWD stage of sampled trees,and REPs performed best in distinguishing healthy trees from trees at early stage of PWD(OA:71.67%,Kappa:0.40).Conclusion:Overall,our results confirm the validity of using HI data to identify pine trees infected with PWD in its early stage,although its accuracy must be improved before widespread use is practical.We also show UAV-based data PWD classifications are less accurate but comparable to those of ground-based data.We believe that these results can be used to improve preventative measures in the control of PWD.